For the last month of the year, my theme is the most difficult part of writing a story–the ending. I think endings are much tougher than beginnings. A writer can a begin a story any number of ways. But for a reader to close the book satisfied, the ending has to tie all the threads of the plot and character development into a convincing, plausible climax and denouement that both surprises the reader but also makes her nod in agreement.
Coming up with an ending before a beginning doesn’t seem outlandish to me. Knowing my ending gives my writing focus, a goal. I know where I need to end up. The question for me is how to get there.
So what’s the ending this picture can inspire? Have the two characters successfully solved a mystery? Pulled off the perfect crime? Is it some kind of reconciliation or reunion? Maybe it’s a tragic ending. Maybe on character is toasting the other and hiding his loathing for him.
I see the toast as an echo of the beginning. This was something the two characters did regularly. Then they were hit with adversity, either external–some problem kept them apart–or internal–one could’ve grown jealous or suspicious of the other. At the end, they have overcome the adversity and can engage in their old ritual as a sign of healing.
What’s the ending that this photo suggests to you?
Maybe a father toasting his son in a “proud of you, Son” moment that’s been long sought after throughout a book…
That’s wonderful! And the son, who’s been battling his father, says he’s proud of something he did, takings father off guard and moving him.
Oooh, yeah!!!! Especially at an age where kids are embarrassed by their parents!